The History of Hatton Garden
Known as the jewellery capital of the UK and steeped in history and luxury, anyone who has a passion for jewellery and diamonds will find themselves drawn to Hatton Garden.
Sir Christopher Hatton, who was known for his moves and nicknamed “the dancing chancellor”, acquired what is now known as the Hatton district in 1570. With London’s population steadily growing at the time, the Hatton family started to build residential houses along the street that has become Hatton Garden. Hatton Garden established itself as a popular residential neighbourhood and remained so even after the estate was sold in 1760.
The area has been known for its jewellery trade since the medieval times, but it wasn’t until new roads were built that it transformed into a commercial hub in the 1850s, attracting more and more jewellery, watch and clock makers, and by 1885, around 67 merchants specializing in precious stones and Kimberley diamonds had set up shop in Hatton Garden. Now, well into the 21st century, Hatton Garden still thrives on its exclusive jewellery trade, but the district also saw many a media and publishing company open its doors here in recent years.
Although the district was booming with the rich and wealthy, there was, and still is, a mysterious side to this famous commercial centre. Below Hatton Garden, a subterranean labyrinth of old passageways, abandoned railways and bunkers can be found, and it is this underground landscape that has made the luxurious jewellery and diamond shops above ground vulnerable to thievery. In 2015, the underground Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company was burgled, resulting in “the largest burglary in English legal history” – the overall loot amounted to a value of £200 million.
The thieves, nicknamed Mr. Ginger, The Gent, The Tall Man, The Old Man, Mr Strong and Mr Montana by the British press, are said to have caused an underground fire in Kingsway as a distraction technique. Leaving the district in chaos, Mr Ginger was able to descend to the security vault and go about his business without interruption. Fortunately, the robbers were captured on CCTV footage and arrested two weeks later. Although this counts as the biggest robbery to have occurred in Hatton Garden, there have been several incidents over the years, most notably the Graff Diamond heist in 1993, during which £7 million worth of gems were stolen. As a result, security measures in Hatton Garden and surrounding districts have tightened over recent years.
Hatton Garden continues to be England’s centre for jewellery trade and, along with Purely Diamonds, currently boasts another 300 jewellery businesses and 55 jewellery shops offering modern and vintage designs, beautiful wedding and engagement rings, and the most exclusive watches on the market. The jewellery shops here are all independently owned, meaning your purchase will be one of a kind, and you can rest assured that expert traders will be able to advise you thoroughly. If you’re planning on visiting London’s best-kept secret, it is advisable to plan ahead, especially if you are looking to buy something of great importance and meaning, such as an engagement ring. Many jewellery shops welcome walk-ins, but for big purchases as such it is always recommended to make an appointment as this will guarantee thorough consultation.
The choices in Hatton Garden are somewhat awe-inspiring, but with plenty of research you can easily narrow your selection down to just a few shops catering specifically to the type of jewellery you are after. Once you have exhausted your morning shopping for sparkling jewels, you can celebrate your buys with a delicious meal or a cup of coffee in any of the fine eateries and fun cafes in the district. The sandwiches at Tongue and Brisket are absolutely scrumptious and form a part of Hatton Garden’s long-standing history, so be sure to reserve an hour for a traditional bite here.